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Dartmouth Professor Backs Out As Dean Amid BDS Controversy

A Dartmouth professor whose appointment as dean of faculty caused controversy in right-wing pro-Israel circles has reportedly backed out of the post.

N. Bruce Duthu, a professor of Native American studies at Dartmouth, was set to take office as the dean of faculty in July. His appointment was derailed in early May, when a professor circulated an email to faculty noting that, in 2013, Duthu had co-written a declaration by the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association supporting the boycott of Israeli academic institutions.

Duthu said in response that he does not support the boycott of academic institutions.

Duthu announced his withdrawal in a May 22 email to faculty. “The news of my appointment, at least in some circles, remains a source of concern and contention,” he wrote. “Whether warranted or not, this matter has been and will likely continue to be a significant distraction for me professionally and a source of considerable pain and frustration for me personally.”

Contact Josh Nathan-Kazis at [email protected] or on Twitter, @joshnathankazis.

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